Manny Pacquiao has shared his first reaction after his planned rematch against Floyd Mayweather was postponed.
It’s been over a decade since Pacquiao and Mayweather finally met back in May 2015, with Mayweather claiming a unanimous decision victory in an underwhelming affair, though it remains the highest grossing fight of all time.
Pacquiao was keen for a rematch after citing a shoulder injury and there were rumours of a second meeting in the years that followed, but when Mayweather announced his retirement from the sport in August 2017, it seemed any hope of seeing it again was over.
That changed earlier this year when it was reported that the two boxing legends were set for a shock rematch in September, with Mayweather putting his fabled 50-0 record on the line.
Issues have plagued the proposed contest though since that announcement, with Mayweather first denying that it would indeed be a fully sanctioned bout, before there were contrasting reports over the date and venue.
The latest problem surrounds a lawsuit which has been filed against Mayweather for breach of contract, with that leading to the event to be officially postponed.
Many fans now doubt whether it will indeed ever happen, but Pacquiao himself has now insisted it will still go ahead, telling FightHype that they are deciding on an exact date.
“We’re finalising the final date. Yes [it will be next year]. I hope he will fix his problems [with the lawsuit].”
Despite the optimism of the Filipino star, Mayweather turns 50 in February while Pacquiao will be 48 in December, so time is running out if this rematch will take place.
